Inlet valve for chamber systems and sample containers, and chamber systems and sample containers with such inlet valves

ABSTRACT

An inlet valve charges an inner chamber with liquid and has a first axis and an inlet opening with a tool that automatically recloses. The inlet valve has a valve body with a blocking element, and a pressing part; a valve space enclosing the valve body at least partly; a spring mechanism and a sealing element. An open passage region opens into the liquid passage of the pressing part and into the valve space. The spring mechanism presses a sealing surface of the blocking element against the sealing element in a closed position of the valve body. The valve body of the inlet valve can be brought to an open position by pressing the pressing part against the resistance of the spring mechanism. Chamber systems and sample containers with such inlet valves are also disclosed.

RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS

This patent application is a continuation application of U.S. Ser. No.14/342,997, which is the national phase of the international applicationPCT/EP2012/066704 filed on Aug. 28, 2012, and which claims priority ofthe Swiss patent application No. 01462/11 filed on Sep. 6, 2011. Thedisclosure of all these patent applications is incorporated herein inits entirety for any purpose.

RELATED FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY

The invention relates to an inlet valve for charging an inner chamber ofa chamber system or sample container with a liquid or for insertion of asample into an inner chamber of a chamber system or sample container.The inlet valve is configured for supplying the liquid or sample bymeans of a tool, e.g. by means of a laboratory pipette, and comprises afirst axis. Furthermore, the inlet valve comprises an inlet opening andit is configured to automatically reclose as such inlet opening. Theinvention further relates to chamber systems equipped with such inletvalves for the treatment of samples and respective sample containerswith only one chamber.

RELATED PRIOR ART

Self-closing inlet valves for sample containers are known from the stateof the art. The document WO 92/20449 A1 discloses a sealing lid with anon-return valve. It concerns a plug for test tubes (e.g. for bloodsamples), which is placed over the upper opening of a test tube in sucha way that the upper edge of the tube engages in a circumferentialgroove of the plug in a sealing manner. The plug comprises a centraldepression on its upper side, which is downwardly sealed by two partialflanges directed towards each other. These partial flanges touch eachother along a sealing line, which extends in a straight fashion andvirtually over the entire diameter of the central depression. If apipette or a needle is lowered into the region of said sealing line, itpushes the two elastic partial flanges apart, thus producing athrough-hole in the plug. When the pipette or the needle are retracted,the two partial flanges move elastically against each other and re-sealthe through-hole in the plug again. A removable lid which engages in agroove can be provided as an additional closure element. Said removablelid can also be arranged as a membrane that can be pierced.

The document DE 101 05 753 C1 discloses a closure for reagentcontainers, especially such with a screw cap. The closure in accordancewith the invention comprises a conical or pyramid-shaped insert, the tipof which is directed against the filling material. Said insert isnotched at least once and preferably symmetrically, thus forming tabswhich form the bottom part of the cone or the pyramid up to the tip. Asyringe needle or pipette is provided with a triggering sleeve, whichencloses the needle or the pipette tip as an elongated rod-shaped bodywith a central borehole and which tapers at least at the bottom endagainst the needle or the pipette tip. The shape of the triggeringsleeve and the distance of its bottom end from the end of the needle tipor pipette tip are adapted to the shape of the conical or pyramid-shapedinsert, so that the triggering sleeve will touch a triggering web duringthe insertion into the conical or pyramid-shaped insert before thepipette tip itself can touch the closure.

The document US 2002/0130100 A1 discloses a closure apparatus for acontainer which is arranged as a double-closure apparatus with a convexseal that responds to pressure. The container is a microcentrifuge tubefor example, which could also be referred to as an “Eppendorf tube”.Further disclosures relate to a wiping mechanism, a one-piececonstruction, a manipulation-proof construction, a construction whichallows limited exchange of air and still offers access to the liquid,and a sterile air-inlet and filter construction.

Chamber systems for the treatment of samples are also known. Especiallybiological, biochemical or chemical samples are of interest in thiscase. Exemplary treatment methods comprise the extraction of targetmolecules, especially of macromolecules (nucleic acid, proteins) or oflow-molecular compounds (vitamins etc.), wherein solid-liquid extractionis preferably used. A typical chamber system comprises an inner chamber,a lid, an outer chamber and a transfer device. The inner chamber foraccommodating and incubating biological samples for example is enclosedat least partly by an inner wall and can be sealed by a lid. The lidcomprises an inlet opening leading to the inner chamber, which inletopening defines a first axis, which penetrates the inlet opening. Theouter chamber encloses the inner chamber at least in part. The outerchamber for collecting for example lysate with extracted nucleic acidsis enclosed at least partly by an outer wall. The outer wall comprises apipetting opening leading to the outer chamber, which defines a secondaxis, which penetrates the pipetting opening. The transfer device isarranged for fluidic connection of the inner chamber with the outerchamber.

A similar apparatus for the preparation of cytological samples with aninner chamber, a lid, an outer chamber and a transfer device (filter) isknown from the document FR 2 878 426. This apparatus comprises a screwcap however, which needs to be removed both for adding samples andliquid to the inner chamber and also for removing liquid from the outerchamber. This known apparatus can therefore not be used or only withinlimits and with much effort in robotized or automated laboratoryinstallations.

A chamber system for separating liquids from sample mixtures (e.g.solutions or suspensions) by means of extraction and/or filtering, whichcomprises an inner chamber, a lid, and outer chamber and a transferdevice (filter or lattice), is known from the document U.S. Pat. No.5,888,831. As a result of the eccentric arrangement of inner chamber andouter chamber, liquids separated from the inner chamber by means ofeluting and/or centrifuging can be pipetted off from the outer chamberor the collecting chamber via a separate opening without having to openor disassemble the chamber system. However, the inlet opening to theinner chamber and the pipetting opening to the outer chamber areconstantly open in this chamber system, so that losses of liquid causedby evaporation must be expected during the incubation of samples atincreased temperature and/or over a prolonged period. The openconstruction also appears to be susceptible to cross-contaminations.

A chamber system in the form of a collecting/extraction container isknown from the document WO 2009/012808. This chamber system forcollecting solid forensic samples and for the extraction of biologicalmaterial from said forensic samples comprises an inner chamber, a lid,an outer chamber and a transfer device. The inner chamber for receivinga swab and for incubating biological samples is enclosed at least partlyby an inner wall and can be sealed by a lid. The lid seals an inletopening leading to the inner chamber, which inlet opening defines afirst axis penetrating the inlet opening. The outer chamber encloses theinner chamber at least in part. The outer chamber for collectingextracted nucleic acids is enclosed at least partly by an outer wall.The outer wall comprises a pipetting opening leading to the outerchamber, which pipetting opening defines a second axis penetrating thepipetting opening. The transfer device is arranged for the fluidicconnection of the inner chamber to the outer chamber. An alternative lidseals both the inlet opening leading to the inner chamber and also thepipetting opening leading to the outer chamber. Although these lids canbe inserted and removed again by a robotic tool, this kind of lid addscomplexity to the automatic handling of the chamber system.

Eppendorf tubes (Eppendorf AG, Hamburg, Germany) shall be mentioned hereas a known example for reversibly closable sample containers. Theautomatic charging of Eppendorf tubes requires the opening and/orclosing of the lid of these tubes, which adds complexity to theautomatic handling of said sample containers.

OBJECT AND SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

It is the object of the invention to propose an alternative,automatically reclosing inlet valve for charging the inner chamber of asample container or a chamber system with a liquid or for insertion of asample into an inner chamber of a chamber system or sample container andto propose a sample container or chamber system for the treatment ofsamples which is equipped with such an inlet valve.

The treatment of samples shall be understood below as any single-stepand/or multi-step treatment of any solid, pasty or liquid materialsamples (e.g. biological, biochemical or chemical samples) under theinfluence of matter and/or energy, i.e. further substances and/or heatfor example. This shall include for example chemical process steps andreactions (e.g. synthesis), and/or physical process steps (e.g. theextraction of target molecules, e.g. by solid-liquid extraction), and/orbiochemical processes (e.g. incubation, lysis of cells, orpolymerase-chain reaction (PCR)). The treatment of samples shall alsoinclude the collection, the storage, preservation, dispatch andtransportation of samples.

The aforementioned object is achieved according to a first aspect by aninitially mentioned inlet valve for charging an inner chamber of achamber system or sample container with a liquid. The inlet valve isconfigured for supplying the liquid by means of a laboratory pipette andcomprises a first axis. Furthermore, the inlet valve comprises an inletopening and it is configured to automatically reclose said inletopening. The inlet valve in accordance with the invention comprises:

-   -   (a) a valve body, which is arrangeable in the inlet opening and        is movable in the direction of the first axis between a closed        position and an open position, which further comprises:        -   a blocking element having a sealing surface;        -   a pressing part which is subjectable to action by a tool,            and which comprises a liquid passage in the region of the            first axis;        -   at least one open passage region, which is configured on the            one hand to open into the liquid passage of the pressing            part and is arranged on the other hand to open into a valve            space;    -   (b) a valve space at least partly enclosing the valve body;    -   (c) a spring mechanism which is configured on the one hand to        act on the pressing part or the blocking element and on the        other hand to act on a wall of the chamber system or a closure        element of the sample container, and    -   (d) a sealing element which is connected to an inner wall of the        chamber system or a closure element of the sample container.

According to the present invention, the spring mechanism is configuredin such a way that it presses the sealing surface of the blockingelement in the closed position of the valve body against the sealingelement. Furthermore, the valve body of the inlet valve is configured insuch a way that it can be brought to the open position by pressuring thepressing part against the resistance of the spring mechanism.

The aforementioned object is achieved according to a second aspect by achamber system for the treatment of samples, wherein the chamber systemcomprises the following:

-   -   (a) an inner chamber which is enclosed at least partly by an        inner wall and is sealable by a closure element;    -   (b) a closure element which comprises an inlet opening leading        to the inner chamber, wherein said inlet opening defines a first        axis which penetrates the inlet opening;    -   (c) an outer chamber which encloses the inner chamber at least        partly, and which is enclosed at least partly by an outer wall,        wherein the outer wall comprises an opening leading to the outer        chamber, which opening defines a second axis, and    -   (d) a transfer device which is configured for the fluidic        connection of the inner chamber to the outer chamber.

The chamber system in accordance with the invention comprises an alreadydefined inlet valve comprising the inlet opening, e.g. for the supply ofthe liquid by means of a laboratory pipette.

The aforementioned object is achieved according to a third aspect by asample container for storing or treating samples, wherein the samplecontainer comprises the following:

-   -   (a) an inner chamber which is enclosed at least partly by an        inner wall and is sealable by a closure element;    -   (b) a closure element which comprises an inlet opening leading        to the inner chamber, wherein said inlet opening defines a first        axis which penetrates the inlet opening.

The sample container in accordance with the invention comprises analready defined inlet valve comprising the inlet opening.

This discrete sample container with only one chamber has a certainsimilarity from a superficial standpoint to a so-called Eppendorfreaction vessel. These sample and analytical containers, which are alsoknown as Eppendorf tubes, with a conical bottom part and a size of 1.5ml for example consist of polypropylene and comprise a lid connected viaa tab. The sample container in accordance with the invention differstherefrom by the inlet valve integrated in the lid, by means of which aliquid can be pipetted into the inner chamber without removing the lidand which automatically closes again in a sealing fashion.

Further characteristic and inventive features are provided in therespective dependent claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ATTACHED DRAWINGS

The inlet valve, chamber system for the treatment of samples and thesample container in accordance with the invention will now be explainedin closer detail by reference to the enclosed schematic drawings and bymeans of exemplary embodiments, without said drawings and embodimentslimiting the scope of the present invention in any way, wherein:

FIG. 1 shows a 3D view of a chamber system according to a firstembodiment.

FIGS. 2A-2E show vertical sectional views through a chamber systemaccording to the first embodiment of FIG. 1, wherein:

FIG. 2A shows the lid of the chamber system in the non-insertedsituation as in FIG. 1 during the insertion of a sample into the innerchamber;

FIG. 2B shows the lid of the chamber system in the inserted situationwith the inlet valve in the closed position;

FIG. 2C shows the inlet of e.g. lysis-buffer liquid through the lid ofthe chamber system in the inserted situation with the inlet valve in theopen position;

FIG. 2D shows the incubation of the sample in the inner chamber with theinlet valve in the closed position, and

FIG. 2E the pipetting of e.g. lysate for example from the exteriorchamber;

FIG. 3 shows a detailed sectional view through the closure element whichis marked in FIG. 2D by a circle;

FIG. 4 shows a horizontal sectional view through the chamber system witha bottom view of the open lid according to the line of intersection H-Hin FIG. 2A;

FIGS. 5A-5B show vertical sectional views through a chamber systemaccording to a second embodiment with the lid of the chamber system inthe inserted position and with the inlet valve in the closed position,wherein:

FIG. 5A shows a sectional view along the line of intersection A-A inFIG. 6; and

FIG. 5B shows a sectional view along the line of intersection B-B inFIG. 6;

FIG. 6 shows a top view of a chamber system according to the secondembodiment with the lid of the chamber system in the inserted situationand with the inlet valve in the closed position, wherein the lines ofintersection for the vertical sectional views of FIG. 5 are shown;

FIG. 7 shows a side view of an open, as one piece produced samplecontainer-lid combination with only one chamber according to a firstembodiment, wherein the chamber substantially corresponds to the innerchamber of the chamber system according to the second embodiment ofFIGS. 5 and 6;

FIG. 8 shows a top view of this open, integrally produced samplecontainer-lid combination of FIG. 7;

FIGS. 9A-9C show a chamber system according to a third embodiment,wherein

FIG. 9A shows a vertical sectional view transversely through the chambersystem, in which the inlet valve arranged on the screw cap is shown in aclosed position;

FIG. 9B shows a vertical sectional view longitudinally through thechamber system, in which the inlet valve arranged on the screw cap isalso shown in the closed position, and

FIG. 9C shows a 3D view of a valve element of said inlet valve producedas one piece;

FIG. 10 shows a top view of a respective microplate tray (microplatecarrier) with inserted chamber systems according to FIGS. 1 to 4,wherein all first and second axes of the chamber systems arranged in themanner of an array (matrix) are situated on the crossing points of anorthogonal grid, which corresponds to the arrangement of 96 wells (cups)of a standard microplate according to the ANSI standard;

FIG. 11 shows a 3D view of a respective microplate tray with insertedsample container-lid combinations with only one chamber according toFIG. 7, wherein all first axes of the respectively similarly arrangedsample containers are situated on the crossing points of an orthogonalgrid, which corresponds to the arrangement of 96 wells of a standardmicroplate according to the ANSI standard;

FIG. 12 shows a schematic vertical sectional view through theautomatically reclosing, closed inlet valve for charging the innerchamber of a sample container or a chamber system with a liquid, whereinthe left side illustrates the situation in FIGS. 1 to 8 and the rightside the situation in FIG. 9;

FIGS. 13A-13C show a vertical sectional view through a second embodimentof a sample container in accordance with the invention, comprising a lidconnected via an elastic tab, in which a separately produced valve bodycan be arranged for completing the automatically reclosing inlet valvein accordance with the invention, wherein:

FIG. 13A shows the open sample container with inner chamber and lid, anda valve body to be inserted into the lid;

FIG. 13B shows the closed sample container with the valve body in theclosed position, and

FIG. 13C shows the closed sample container with the valve body in theopen position.

FIGS. 14A-14D show a vertical sectional view through a third embodimentof a sample container in accordance with the invention, comprising a lidconnected via an elastic tab, on which a valve body produced as onepiece with the lid and the sample container is attached by a furtherelastic tab, wherein:

FIG. 14A shows the open sample container with the inner chamber, lid andvalve body;

FIG. 14B shows the open sample container with the inner chamber and thevalve body inserted into the lid;

FIG. 14C shows the closed sample container with the valve body in theclosed position, and

FIG. 14D shows the closed sample container with the valve body in theopen position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENT INVENTION

Prior to the explanation of the details, the various embodiments of theinlet valve, chamber system or sample container in accordance with theinvention shall be defined for the purpose of a better overviewaccording to the embodiments of the relevant components and with respectto the drawings:

-   -   Inlet valve 12        -   First embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4        -   Second embodiment according to FIGS. 5 to 8        -   Third embodiment according to FIG. 9        -   Fourth embodiment according to FIG. 13        -   Fifth embodiment according to FIG. 14    -   Chamber system 1 with double chamber (inner and outer chamber)        -   First embodiment according to FIGS. 1 to 4        -   Second embodiment according to FIGS. 5 and 6        -   Third embodiment according to FIG. 9    -   Sample container 57 with only one chamber (inner chamber)        -   First embodiment according to FIGS. 7 and 8        -   Second embodiment according to FIG. 13        -   Third embodiment according to FIG. 14    -   Transfer device 11 with base element 52        -   Retaining element 54 (e.g. filter) with base opening 53        -   Pierceable base region 55 (e.g. membrane) and piercing tip            56, cf. FIG. 5        -   Flap or further valve as base element 52, pin instead of            piercing tip 56 as transfer device 11 for opening the flap            or base valve

Notice must be taken expressly at this point that the three componentsinlet valve 12, chamber system 1 and transfer device 11 can be combinedfreely, i.e. any embodiment of one of these components can be combinedwith any embodiment of the other two components. It shall also expresslybe noted at this point that the different embodiments of these twocomponents inlet valve 12 and sample container 57 can be combined freelywith each other.

A general preliminary remark is made here with respect to the labellingin the drawings: the same reference numerals relate to the respective orthe same or functionally identical elements, even though they are notvisible in all drawings or are not described in the relevant text.

FIG. 1 shows a 3D view of a chamber system according to a firstembodiment of the invention or the inlet valve 12 in a double-chambersystem and with a retaining element 54 in the transfer device 11.Various positions and situations are shown in the vertical sectionalviews of FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E. The chamber system 1 for thetreatment of samples comprises an inner chamber 2, which is enclosed atleast partly by an inner wall 3 and can be sealed by a lid 4. The lid 4comprises an inlet opening 5 leading into the inner chamber 2, whereinsaid inlet opening 5 defines a first axis 6, which penetrates the centerof the inlet opening 5. The inner chamber 2 is enclosed at least partlyby an outer chamber 7, which is enclosed at least partly by an outerwall 8, wherein the outer wall 8 comprises a pipetting opening 9 leadingto the outer chamber 7, which pipetting opening defines a second axis10. The chamber system 1 further comprises a transfer device 11 which isarranged for the fluidic connection of the inner chamber 2 with theouter chamber 7.

In accordance with the invention, the chamber system 1 comprises aninlet valve 12 having the inlet opening 5 and a spring mechanism 13, anda blocking element 14, wherein the spring mechanism 13 is configured forexerting a spring force with which the blocking element 14 can bepressed in a closed position 15 in a sealing fashion against a sealingelement 16 of the inlet opening 5, and wherein the blocking element 14can be brought against the spring force of the spring mechanism 13 to anopen position 17, so that the liquid 18 can be supplied through theinlet opening 5 to the inner chamber 2.

Guide ribs 60 are preferably integrally attached to the blocking element14 of the lid 4 (cf. FIG. 1), which guide ribs are provided with aconical shape and are used during the closure of the lid as an insertionaid for the smooth and centric guidance of the blocking element 14through the inlet opening 5 enclosed by the sealing element 16. FIG. 3shows a detailed sectional view of the sealing element 16 (according tothe circular segment in FIG. 2A) on an enlarged scale and as a sealinglip 16′ by way of example.

In a preferred embodiment of the chamber system 1, the inlet valve 12comprises a pressing part 20 which is produced as one piece with theblocking element 14 and which can be subjected to action by a tool 19,wherein the pressing part 20 is arranged via a constricted throat 21 ata distance from the blocking element 14 and is connected to the blockingelement 14.

The invention also relates to an embodiment of a sample container withonly one chamber, as shown in FIGS. 7 and 8. Such a sample container 57comprises an inlet valve 12 for charging an inner chamber 2 of thesample container 57 with a liquid 18 and for reclosing the inner chamber2, wherein the inner chamber 2 is enclosed at least partly by an innerwall 3 and is sealable by a lid 4, wherein the inlet valve 12 comprisesan inlet opening 5 with a sealing element 16, a spring mechanism 13 anda blocking element 14, wherein said inlet opening 5 defines a first axis6 which penetrates the inlet opening 5. The axis 6 preferably penetratesthe center of the inlet opening 5.

The spring mechanism 13 is configured to exert a spring force, withwhich the blocking element 14 can be pressed in a closed position 15 ina sealing fashion against the sealing element 16 of the inlet opening 5,wherein the blocking element 14 can be brought against the spring forceof the spring mechanism 13 to an open position 17 in such a way that aliquid 18 can be supplied through the inlet opening 5 to the innerchamber 2 of the chamber system 1 or sample container 57. The inletvalve 12 comprises a pressing part 20 which is produced as one piecewith the blocking element 14 and can be subjected to action by a tool19, wherein the pressing part 20 is arranged at a distance from theblocking element 14 via a constricted throat 21 and is connected to theblocking element 14.

The invention is also directed towards an inlet valve 12 as such in apreferred embodiment for charging the inner chamber 2 of a chambersystem 1 or a sample container 57 with a liquid 18 and for reclosing theinner chamber 2, wherein the inlet valve 12 preferably comprises apressing part 20 which is integrally produced with the blocking element14 and can be subjected to action by a tool 19, wherein the pressingpart 20 is arranged at a distance from the blocking element 14 via aconstricted throat 21 and is connected to the blocking element 14.

In a chamber system 1, sample container 57 or inlet valve 12, thepressing part 20 preferably comprises a central liquid passage 22, whichopens into an open passage region 23 of the constricted throat 21between the pressing part 20 and the blocking element 14. The openpassage region 23 is preferably laterally realized in form of twoopposite openings, as are shown for example in FIGS. 1, 2B, 2D, 5B, 7,9B and 9C.

In preferred embodiments of the chamber system 1, sample container 57 orinlet valve 12, the pressing part 20 further comprises stop surfaces 24(cf. FIGS. 1, 2A, 2D, 2E, 5B and 7) which can be pressurized by thespring mechanism 13.

In the chamber system 1, sample container 57 or inlet valve 12, thesealing element 16 of the inlet opening 5 is further preferablyconfigured as a continuous sealing lip 16′, wherein said sealing lip 16′is arranged at a transitional point 31, preferably between a collar 26connected integrally to the inner wall 3 and the inner wall 3 in anuninterrupted fashion on the inner circumference. The sealing lip 16′releases an opening, the cross-section of which is smaller than thegeometrically similar cross-section of the blocking element 14. Theshape of the cross-section can be polygonal or oval for example, but itis preferably circular. This means that the sealing lip 16′ isespecially preferably configured in a circular fashion and releases acircular opening, the diameter of which is smaller than the diameter ofthe blocking element 14 which is also preferably circular. A sealingelement 16 or a sealing lip 16′ can be found in the embodiments 1-3 and5 of the inlet valve 12.

In an advantageous embodiment of the chamber system 1, the samplecontainer 57 or the inlet valve 12 in which the lid 4 comprises thepressing part 20, the constricted throat 21 and the blocking element 14,the lid 4 latches into the sealing lip 16′ during the closing insertioninto the chamber system 1 in the inlet opening 5, in accordance with thefunctionality of the first embodiment of the inlet valve 12. Thisrequires that the material of the sealing lip 16′ must have a certainamount of elasticity, so that the blocking element 14, which has alarger cross-section, can be pressed through the inlet opening 5 withthe smaller cross-section in the sealing lip 16′, and the sealing lipcan subsequently be relaxed again and performs the sealing and holdingfunction against an opening of the lid 4. In one variant, the inner walland the transitional region of the chamber and the integrally attachedsealing lip consist of the same material (if it is sufficientlyflexible). In an alternative variant, the closure element or the sealinglip consists of an elastomeric material or polymer which is attached toor injected by two-component injection molding onto the stiffercontainer material.

Thus, thermoplastic materials are preferably used for producing theitems in accordance with the invention. Preferred materials arepolyolefins for example such as polypropylene in particular, andoptionally polyolefin elastomers for the sealing lip, or polyamides,especially transparent polyamides, and optionally polyamide elastomersor polyolefin elastomers adhering to polyamide for the sealing lip.

In a preferred embodiment of the chamber system 1, sample container 57or inlet valve 12, the lid 4 is connected by means of an elasticallydeformable tab 25 to the collar 26, wherein the collar 26 encloses thespring mechanism 13 and comprises an upper opening 27 into which the lid4 can be inserted. This is shown for example in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2C, 4, 6, 7and 8. The tab 25 can comprise one or several film hinges for thepurpose of increased bending flexibility.

In a further developed embodiment of such a chamber system 1, samplecontainer 57 or inlet valve 12, the lid 4 further comprises a side wall28 which is integrally attached to the pressing part 20 and whichcomprises a shoulder 29 on its upper end, wherein said shoulder 29,during the insertion of the lid 4 into the upper opening 27 of thecollar 26 and during the pressurizing of the collar 26, defines amaximum open position 17 of the inlet valve 12 with maximum deformationof the spring mechanism 13 (see FIGS. 1 to 4, 12 and 14).

Preferably, a chamber system 1, sample container 57 or inlet valve 12are additionally characterized in that the spring mechanism 13 comprisesa number of obliquely upright spring elements 30, wherein said springelements 30 are configured to be free-standing (with a gap to the collar26) and are fixed at a transitional point 31 (on the ledge) between thecollar 26 and the inner wall 3, as shown for example in FIGS. 1, 2A, 2Band 2C. These spring elements can be spring arms of approximatelyconstant thickness, as shown in FIG. 2A for example. The variant withtapering spring arms which taper towards the free end is preferredhowever, because the spring effect is much smoother with decreasingthickness and distributes over a larger region of the spring arm, as aresult of which the material loading in the spring arm is less high incertain points.

It is advantageous for profitability if the inner wall 3, the lid 4 andthe inlet valve 12 of the chamber system 1 or the sample container 57are configured as an integral, one piece element in a chamber system 1or a sample container 57. Such an integral element is preferablyproduced by injection molding.

In a preferred embodiment of a chamber system 1, it comprises a baseinsert 32, wherein the base insert 32 comprises an insert wall 33 and abase 34 which deviates from the horizontal, and wherein the base insert32 is pushed into the outer chamber 7 and rests with the insert wall 33preferably in a sealing fashion on the outer wall 8 enclosing the outerchamber 7. Such an embodiment is shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E.

In a preferred embodiment of a chamber system 1, the base insert 32comprises a bottom edge 35, wherein the bottom edge 35 of the baseinsert 32 defines a base area 37 of the chamber system 1 together with abottom edge 36 of the outer wall 8. This is shown in FIGS. 2A, 2B and2D. A base area 37 can also be formed by the outside wall 8 alone inother variants of a two-chamber system, as shown in FIGS. 5B and 9B.

Concerning the spring mechanism 13, a chamber system 1, sample container57 or inlet valve 12 are characterized in an alternative variant in sucha way that the spring mechanism 13 comprises spring rings 40, whereinsaid spring rings 40 are arranged in a free-standing manner and arepreferably fixed to a transitional point 31 between the collar 36 andthe inner wall 3. Such spring rings 40 are contained in the secondembodiment of the inlet valve 12 in FIGS. 5A, 5B and 7.

In a chamber system 1 with spring rings 40, the collar 26 which isconnected to the inner wall 3 preferably comprises a shoulder 46, whichcomprises the pipetting opening 9 leading to the outer chamber 7,wherein said shoulder 46 is arranged for the latching connection to theouter wall 8 (see FIG. 9B for example). A chamber system 1 according tothis embodiment comprises a base part 50 in a variant, wherein the basepart 50 comprises the outer wall 8 and a base 34 deviating from thehorizontal, and wherein the base part 50 comprises a circumferentialgroove on the inside of the outer wall, into which the shoulder 46 ofthe collar 26 connected to the inner wall 3 can latch.

It is further preferable if in a chamber system 1, sample container 57or inlet valve 12 the pressing part 20 further comprises the springmechanism 13. This corresponds to the third embodiment of the inletvalve 12, in which the spring mechanism is preferably realized in formof integrated spring rings 40 (see FIG. 9C). It is further preferable insuch a chamber system 1, sample container 57 or inlet valve 12 that thespring mechanism 13 comprises at least one ejection element 39, whereinsaid ejection element 39 is preferably held on the lid 4. An especiallypreferred variant of such a chamber system 1, sample container 57 orinlet valve 12 is characterized in that the spring mechanism 13comprises spring rings 40, wherein said spring rings 40 connect theblocking element 14 to the at least one ejection element 39, and whereinsaid spring rings 40 are produced as an integral valve element 41together with the pressing part 20, the throat 21, the blocking element14 and the at least one ejection element 39. Such an integrally producedvalve element is shown in FIG. 9C.

It is preferred in a chamber system 1, sample container 57 or inletvalve 12 that the lid 4 comprises snap-in cams 42, and an integral valveelement 41 can be inserted via said snap-in cams 42 from below into thelid 4 and are held by said snap-in cams 42 and the ejection element 39(see FIG. 9A).

With respect to the preceding embodiment, a preferred embodiment of achamber system 1, sample container 57 or inlet valve 12 is characterizedin that the lid 4 comprises an outer thread 43 and a stop ring 44,wherein the inner wall 3 enclosing the inner chamber 2 comprises aninner thread 45, which is complementary to said outer thread 43, and ashoulder 46 with an opening 47, and wherein the lid 4 can be twisted bymeans of its outer thread 43 at least partly through said openings 47into the inner thread 45 until its stop ring 44 rests on the shoulder46. This is shown by way of example in FIGS. 9A and 9B.

It is preferred that in a chamber system 1 according to the precedingdescription the shoulder 46 comprises the pipetting opening 9 leading tothe outer chamber 7 and an insert wall 33, wherein the inner wall 3, theshoulder 46 and the insert wall 33 are configured as an integral insert48 which is preferably produced by injection molding (see FIG. 9B). Aresulting preferred chamber system 1 is characterized in that itcomprises an outer part 49 with an outer wall 8, having a base 34deviating from the horizontal and a standing surface 37, wherein theinsert 48 is inserted into the outer chamber 7 and rests with the insertwall 33 on the outer wall 8 enclosing the outer chamber 7 (see FIGS. 9A,9B).

In the case of a chamber system 1 with a base 34 which deviates from thehorizontal it is generally advantageous if the base 34 deviating fromthe horizontal comprises a lowermost position 38 which is arrangedaxially to the second axis 10 and in the geometric projection of thepipetting opening 9 leading to the outer chamber 7 (see FIGS. 2B, 2D,2E, 5B and 9B). As a result, the liquid can be pipetted out of the outerchamber 7 at the lowermost point.

In a general embodiment of the chamber system 1, the transfer device 11comprises a base element 52 connected to the inner wall 3, wherein thebase element 52 is configured to be non-permeable for a liquid 18 in astatic state of the chamber system 1. Such a base element is shown inFIG. 2D. The absence of acceleration, increased static pressure ormechanical force on the base element shall be understood as the staticstate of the chamber system 1.

A chamber system 1 with a base element 52 is characterized in apreferred variant in such a way that the base element 52 comprises atleast one base opening 53 (see FIG. 4 for example) and a retainingelement 54 (see FIG. 2D) which covers the at least one base opening 53,wherein the retaining element 54 can only be passed by a liquid 18 withincreased acceleration and/or increased static pressure. Increasedacceleration can be produced by centrifuging for example. An increasedstatic pressure can be produced alternatively or additionally bypressurizing with a compressed gas, e.g. compressed air. The retainingelement 54 can concern a fine-pored filter for example.

A chamber system 1 with another variant of a base element 52 ischaracterized in that the base element 52 comprises a pierceable basearea 55, wherein the blocking element 14 comprises a piercing tip 56,which penetrates the pierceable base area 55 (e.g. a membrane) uponreaching a maximum opened position 17 of the inlet valve 12. Thisvariant of the transfer device is shown in FIGS. 5A and 5B.

Further variants of a base element 52 can be formed in a chamber system1 by a flap or a further valve, by a pin (for exerting a mechanicalforce) instead of a piercing tip 56 as the transfer device 11 foropening the flap or the base valve. Alternatively, said flap can beopened by increased acceleration and/or increased static pressure.

The material samples, which can generally concern biological or alsoforensic samples, are introduced manually into the inner chamber 2 andthe lid 4 is subsequently closed manually. An identification element 51beneath the base of the chamber system (see FIGS. 2A, 2B, 2C, 2D and 2E)is used for specific labelling. RFID identification labels (RFID tags)or bar codes (such as 1D stripe pattern or 2D raster) are suitable forautomated identification for example.

It is useful for the automated handling of the samples or the treatmentand analysis of a plurality of samples to place the chamber system 1 orsample containers 57 in a tray with suitable openings (seats). FIG. 11shows a respective microplate tray 58 for accommodating chamber systems1 or sample containers 57, wherein the microplate tray 58 comprises aspecific number of seats 59, which are adjusted with respect to theirsize to the dimensions of the outside walls 8 of the chamber systems 1or the inner walls 3 of the sample containers 57 in such a way that thechamber systems 1 or sample containers 57 can be inserted tightly in aninterlocking fashion into said seats 59 and preferably with surfacecontact.

The seats 59 are preferably arranged in a respective microplate tray 59in an array, so that the first axes 6 of the chamber systems 1 or samplecontainers 57 stand perpendicularly to a base area of the microplatetray 58 and are arranged in an orthogonal grid whose grid pointscorrespond to the central points of wells of a microplate according toANSI standard, e.g. 8×12=96 well microplate. This preferred arrangementof the seats is shown in FIG. 10 by a superimposed microplate standardgrid under the chamber systems. It is shown that the chamber systems arepreferably dimensioned in such a way that the second axes 10 also cometo lie on the standard grid coordinates. As a result, the handling ofthe trays and efficient pipetting of the samples is enabled withavailable laboratory robots with standard settings.

In the case of biological samples, they are often lysed in order toobtain their cell content. The fracturing of cells (i.e. the cell walls)is known as lysis, so that proteins and DNA (nucleic acid) areaccessible as target molecules. This lysate is subsequently used fordifferent follow-up tests and analyses. Lysis is carried out by chemicaland/or mechanical means, preferably at increased temperatures. Thesample containers must therefore be supplied with heat, which can occurfor example by heating with hot air, in a water bath or oil bath or hotsand. It is appropriate in the present invention to choose the carrierplate or the microplate tray 58 in particular from a thermallyconductive material, e.g. in form of an aluminum rack, i.e. a holdingblock made of aluminum with matching depositing openings, which can beheated indirectly or directly (with integrated heating) and thustransfers the heat to the tight-fitting inserted containers.

For the purpose of illustrating such an application of the invention, afully prepared example with a specific method will be explained below,without said example limiting the scope of the present invention in anyway. The invention therefore also relates to a method for incubatingsamples and for extracting target molecules, wherein the methodcomprises the following working steps:

-   -   (a) Accommodation of a sample comprising target molecules in an        inner chamber 2 of a chamber system 1, which comprises the inner        chamber 2 and an outer chamber 7 which partly encloses said        inner chamber 2, wherein the inner chamber 2 is enclosed at        least partly by an inner wall 3 and can be sealed by a lid 4,        and wherein the outer chamber 7 is enclosed at least partly by        an outer wall 8 which comprises a pipetting opening 9 leading to        the outer chamber 7;    -   (b) adding a lysis buffer to the sample in the inner chamber 2;    -   (c) sealing the inner chamber 2 with the lid 4;    -   (d) incubation of the sample provided with the lysis buffer        under increased temperature, lysis of cells containing the        target molecules and receiving the target molecules in the lysis        buffer;    -   (e) transfer of the lysis buffer with the target molecules to        the outer chamber 7 with a transfer device 11 which is        configured for fluidically connecting the inner chamber 2 to the        outer chamber 7, and    -   (f) removal of the extracted target molecules from the outer        chamber 7.

This method in accordance with the invention for incubating samples andfor the extraction of target molecules is characterized in that theadding of the lysis buffer to the sample in the inner chamber 2 occursby means of an inlet valve 12 of the chamber system 1 and through aninlet opening 5 of the lid 4 and the inlet valve 12 leading into theinterior chamber 2, wherein the inlet valve 12 comprises a blockingelement 14 and a spring mechanism 13 which is configured for exerting aspring force, with which the spring mechanism 13 presses the blockingelement 14 in a closed position in a sealing fashion against the inletopening 5, and wherein the blocking element 14 is brought to an openposition 17 against the spring force of the spring mechanism 13 foradding the lysis buffer to the sample in the inner chamber 2.

It is preferable in this method that the adding of the lysis bufferoccurs via a central liquid passage 22 of the inlet valve 12, whichopens into an open passage region 23 of a constricted throat 21 betweena pressing part 20 and the blocking element 14.

Furthermore, this method preferably uses a microplate tray 58 in form ofa heated aluminum rack, in which the chamber system 1 was inserted in atightly fitting manner, in working step (d), i.e. during the incubationof the sample to which the lysis buffer was added under increasedtemperature, the lysis of the cells containing the target molecules andthe receiving of the target molecules in the lysis buffer.

The proposed chamber system with inlet valve or the sample containerwith the inlet valve can be used in a highly versatile way for a largevariety of treatments of any samples, e.g. biological, biochemical orchemical samples. The invention therefore also relates to the use of achamber system 1 or a sample container 57 for the treatment of samples,wherein the treatment is especially chosen from the group comprisingchemical reactions, synthesis, incubation, lysis, extraction,solid-liquid extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), storing andtransporting.

The disadvantages of the state of the art are overcome in an inventivemanner with this novel chamber system or sample container for thetreatment of samples. A system is provided which is highly advantageousfor automated examinations in robotized laboratory installations. Inparticular, forensic serial examinations (identification by DNAscreening) can thus be performed in a highly efficient way.

FIG. 12 shows a schematic vertical sectional view through theautomatically reclosing inlet valve 12 for charging the inner chamber 2of a sample container 57 or a chamber system 1 with a liquid 18, whereinthe left side shows the situation in FIGS. 1 to 8 and the right side thesituation in FIG. 9. Said inlet valve 12 is configured for adding theliquid 18 (see arrows) by means of a laboratory pipette 19′ andcomprises a first axis 6. Furthermore, the inlet valve 12 comprises aninlet opening 5 (see double arrow) and it is configured in anautomatically reclosing fashion as such inlet opening 5. Said inletvalve 12 comprises a valve body 61 which is arranged in the inletopening 5 and is movable in the direction of the first axis 6 between aclosed position 15 (shown here) and an open position 17 (not shownhere).

The valve body 61 is preferably produced as one piece or is at leastconfigured as one piece, and comprises:

-   -   a blocking element 14 with at least one sealing surface 63;    -   a pressing part 20 which is spaced from the blocking element 14        and can be subjected to action by a tool 19,19′, and which        comprises a liquid passage 22 in the region of the first axis 6,        and    -   a throat 21 which connects the blocking element 14 and the        pressing part 20 to each other, and which comprises at least one        open passage region 23 which is configured on the one hand to        open into the liquid passage 22 of the pressing part 20 and on        the other hand to open into a valve space 62.

The throat 21 of the valve body 61 connects the blocking element 14 andthe pressing part 20 which is spaced therefrom in a rigid manner to eachother, so that the blocking element 14 and the pressing part 20 alwaysassume the same position with respect to each other, irrespective ofwhether or not the pressing part 20 is subjected to action by a tool 19or a laboratory pipette 19′ (i.e. a pipette tip or dispenser tip). A“tool” is regarded as any apparatus in connection with the presentinvention with which the pressing part 20 is pressurized simultaneouslywith the approach of a pipette tip or dispenser tip to the liquidpassage 22 and the valve body 61 of the inlet valve 12 can thus bebrought to an open position 17. Alternatively, the pressing part 20 canbe subjected to action by such a tool 19 already before and/or alsoafter the approach of a pipette tip or dispenser tip to the liquidpassage 22. Pipette tips or dispenser tips are also regarded in thebroadest sense as a “tool 19”, because the valve body 61 of the inletvalve 12 can also be brought to an open position 17 by these itemsalone.

All pipettes or dispensers are designated as “laboratory pipettes 19” inconnection with the present invention which can be used in a laboratory,irrespective of whether they are manual pipettes or robotized pipettesof a laboratory workstation for receiving and supplying liquid samples,or respectively arranged dispensers for dispensing liquid samples.

The blocking element 14, the pressing part 20 and the throat 21 of thevalve body 61 are configured to be penetrated by the first axis 6.Furthermore, the inlet valve 12 comprises a valve space 62 enclosing thevalve body 61 at least partly in the region of the throat 21, so thatthe liquid 18 entering through the liquid passage 22 and the openpassage region can reach the space between the sealing surface 63 andthe sealing element 16 and can flow into the inner chamber 2 of thechamber system or the sample container 57 if the valve body 61 of theinlet valve 12 is in the open position 17.

Said inlet valve 12 further comprises a spring mechanism 13; 30; 40,which is configured to act on the pressing part 20 (cf. FIGS. 1-8 andFIGS. 13-14) or on the blocking element 14 (cf. FIG. 9) on the one handand to act on a wall 3 of the chamber system 1 (cf. FIGS. 1-8) or on aclosure element 4 (cf. FIG. 9 and FIGS. 13-14) of the sample container57 on the other hand. Preferably, the closure element 4 is configured asa reversibly closable lid or as a closure element of a chamber system 1or a sample container 57 and comprises the pressing part 20, the throat21 and the blocking element 14. The closure element 4, which ispreferably configured as a reversibly closable lid, latches into aninlet opening 5 of a sealing lip 16′ during the sealing insertion intothe chamber system 1 or into the sample container 57 and is connected ina preferred embodiment to a collar 26 of the chamber system 1 or thesample container 57 by means of an elastically deformable tab 25.

Said inlet valve 12 further comprises a sealing element 16 which isconnected to an inner wall 3 of the chamber system 1 or a closureelement 4 of the sample container 57.

The inlet valve 12 in accordance with the invention is especiallycharacterized in that the spring mechanism 13; 30; 40 is configured insuch a way that it presses the sealing surface 63 of the blockingelement 14 in the closed position 15 of the valve body 61 against thesealing element 16, and wherein the valve body 61 of the inlet valve 12is configured in such a way that it can be brought to the open position17 by pressing the pressing part 20 against the resistance of the springmechanism 13; 30; 40 (see bold arrows in the opening direction). Such aninlet valve 12 is preferred in which the liquid passage 22 is arrangedconcentrically in relation to the first axis 6. Preferably, the springmechanism 13 is configured as a number of upright spring elements 30 ora number of spring rings 40.

Due to simpler production, a valve body 61 is especially preferred whichis configured in a rotationally symmetrical way and comprises a circularsealing surface 63, wherein the sealing surface 63 is preferablyarranged on an exterior side 64 of the blocking element 14 of the valvebody 61 and forms an annular sealing connection with the sealing element16 in the closed position 15 of the inlet valve 12. An inlet valve 12 isespecially preferred in which the sealing element 16 is configured as anannular continuous sealing lip 16′ or as a continuous annular web 16″and releases the inlet opening 5, the cross-section of which is smallerthan the geometrically similar cross-section of the blocking element 14(see FIG. 12). Preferably, the blocking element 14 is configured in themanner of a shell and comprises a convex exterior side 64 which isarranged to face the throat 21 and which is further spaced from thepressing part 20 with increasing distance from the first axis 6, whereinthe shell-like blocking element 14 preferably comprises a concave innerside 65 which is arranged on the side facing away from the throat 21.

Alternatively, the closure element 4, which is configured as areversibly closable lid, further comprises the spring mechanism 13 andis configured such that it can be screwed into the chamber system 1 orthe sample container 57 in order to seal them, wherein the pressing part20 further preferably comprises the spring mechanism 13.

In all FIGS. 1 to 14, the throat 21 is arranged concentrically inrelation to the first axis 6 and has a cross-section, which is reducedin relation to the blocking element 14 and the pressing part 20.Furthermore, the throat is always shown as a massive column with arecessed liquid passage 22 and two open passage regions 23. Deviatingfrom this illustration, the throat 21 can also be configured as a hollowtube, the cavity of which forms the liquid passage 22 (not shown). Saidtube can comprise lateral breakthroughs which are configured as openpassage regions 23 (not shown). Generally, a single open passage region23 will be sufficient, which is preferably configured to originatesubstantially at a right angle from the first axis 6. It is advantageoushowever to configure the valve body 61 in a mirror-symmetrical orrotationally symmetrical way, so that two or more open passage regions23 are formed.

FIG. 13 shows a vertical sectional view through a second embodiment of asample container 57 in accordance with the invention, comprising a lid 4which is connected via an elastic tab 25, in which a separately producedvalve body 61 can be arranged for completing the automatically reclosinginlet valve 12 in accordance with the invention.

FIG. 13A shows the open sample container 57 with inner chamber 2 and lid4, and a valve body 61 to be inserted into the lid 4, which valve bodyis shown in this case in the illustration with the same orientation asin the closed state of the sample container 57 (see sectional view ofthe valve body 61 in FIG. 13B). This valve body 61 can be produced asone piece (preferably by means of injection molding techniques).Alternatively, the valve body 61 can be produced in an integral fashionin that two parts of the said valve body 61 (preferably produced bymeans of injection molding techniques) are rigidly connected to eachother to one piece by means of friction welding or other suitablemethods.

The valve body 61 must be rotated by 180° for inserting the valve body61 into the closure element 4 or into the lid, so that it enters the lid4 at first with the pressing part 20 from above until the stop surfaces24 of the pressing part 20, after having pushed the spring elements 30apart, come to lie on the ends of the spring elements 30. In order toensure that the valve body 61 can reach this position, it needs to bemoved against the resistance of the slightly deforming blocking element14 resting on the sealing element 16 in the direction of the first axis6 slightly beyond the closed position 15. In the closed position 15, thevalve body 61 is pressed with its sealing surface 63 in a sealingfashion against the sealing element 16 by the slightly deformed springelements 30.

The sealing element 16 is configured in this case as a continuousannular web 16″ and releases the inlet opening 5, the cross-section ofwhich is smaller than the geometrically similar cross-section of theblocking element 14. Preferably, the annular web 16″ extendssubstantially parallel to the first axis 6. It is especially preferredin this respect that the internal diameter of the annular web 16″expands upwardly in FIG. 13A merely to such an extent as is required fora smooth removal from the mold after the injection molding of the samplecontainer/lid combination.

FIG. 13B shows the closed sample container 57 with the valve body 61 inthe closed position 15. The sample container 57 of FIG. 13A was sealedafter the insertion of the valve body 61 by introducing the closureelement or lid 4 which is connected to the sample container 57 via aflexible, deformable tab 25. In this state there is frictionalengagement between an annular insertion wall 66 of the lid 4 and theinner wall 3 of the sample container 57. The lid 4 preferably comprisesa nose 67 on the side which is opposite of the flexible, deformable tab25, which nose simplifies the opening of the lid 4. The collar 26 andthe annular insertion wall 66 of the lid 4 are preferably connected toeach other by a shoulder 68. Said shoulder 68 forms a stop for the upperedge of the inner wall 3 of the sample container 57 during the insertionof the lid 4 into the sample container 57, so that the lid 4 andtherefore also the inlet valve 12 always precisely assume the sameposition in their closed state. It is highly advantageous for theautomated or robotized supply of liquids 18 to the inner chamber 2 ofthe sample container 57 that the lid 4 of the sample container 57 andtherefore also the valve body 61 are always located precisely at thesame location. A microplate tray 58 for accommodating such samplecontainers 57 (see FIG. 11) was already explained above andsubstantially facilitates the precise alignment and secure holding ofthe sample containers 57. The valve space 62 is clearly shown, whichencloses the valve body 61 at least partly in the region of throat 21.

FIG. 13C shows the closed sample container 57 with the valve body 61 inthe open position 17. The valve body 61 assumes said open position 17after a movement in the direction of the first axis 6 because it wasmoved downwardly against the resistance of the elastic spring elements30. This movement ensures that the sealing surface 63 on the convexexterior side 64 of the blocking element 14 is moved away to such anextent from the sealing element 16 configured as a continuous annularweb 16″ that the inlet opening 5 is opened at least partly for allowingthe flow of the liquid 18.

In this FIG. 13 C (which deviates from the illustration in FIG. 12), apipette or dispenser tip 19′ is shown with a substantially terminalpiston-shaped reinforced part 69. Such a reinforced part 69 allowsovercoming a higher resistance of the elastic spring elements 30 of theinlet valve 12 in accordance with the invention without deforming thepipette or dispenser tip 19′. This piston-shaped reinforced part 69 canbe more pronounced (see left side of the pipette or dispenser tip 19′)or less pronounced (see right side of the pipette or dispensed tip 19′)and can comprise additional reinforcing ribs 70.

FIG. 14 shows a vertical sectional view through a third embodiment of asample container 57 in accordance with the invention, comprising a lid 4which is connected via an elastic tab 25 and to which is attached avalve body 61 via a further elastic tab 25, which valve body isintegrally produced together with the lid 4 and the sample container 57.

FIG. 14A shows the open sample container 57 with the inner chamber 2,the lid 4 and the valve body 61, as can be preferably produced as onepiece by means of injection molding techniques in one work step. Oneadvantage of this third embodiment over the second embodiment shown inFIG. 13 is the integral (one piece) configuration: All required partsfor producing the sample container 57 with a functional self-closinginlet valve 12 for charging the inner chamber 2 of said sample container57 with a liquid 18 are present and cannot be lost. An inlet valve 12 istherefore especially preferred in which the closure element 4 which isconfigured as a reversibly closable lid comprises a collar 26 which isconnected by means of an elastically deformable tab 25 to the chambersystem 1 or the sample container 57, wherein preferably the valve body61 comprising the blocking element 14, the pressing part 20 and thethroat 21 is connected to the collar 26 of the closure element 4 bymeans of an elastically deformable tab 25.

FIG. 14B shows the open sample container 57 with the inner chamber 2 andthe valve body 61 inserted into the lid 4. The valve body 61 is pivotedby 180° by bending the tab 25 and is inserted from below into the upperopening 27 of the collar 26 of the lid 4. The valve body 61 is thenmoved further in the direction of the first axis 6 until its blockingelement 14 penetrates the inlet opening 5, which pressurizes the sealingelement 16 configured as a continuous annular sealing lip 16′ with thesealing surface 63 on the convex exterior side 64 of the blockingelement 14 and simultaneously slightly deforms the spring elements 30standing upright from the shoulder 68 of the lid 4. As a result, thespring elements 30 produce a force, which holds the valve body 61 in thedirection of the first axis 6 in a closed position 15 against theresistance of the sealing lip 16′ which is also preferably elastic.

FIG. 14C shows the closed sample container 57 with the valve body 61 inthe closed position 15. The sample container 57 of FIG. 14B was sealedby inserting the closure element or lid 4 connected to the samplecontainer 57 by a flexible deformable tab 25. In this state, there isfrictional engagement between an annular insertion wall 66 of the lid 4and the inner wall 3 of the sample container 57. The lid 4 preferablycomprises a nose 67 on the side which is opposite of the flexibledeformable tab 25, which nose simplifies the opening of the lid 4. Thecollar 26 and the annular insertion wall 66 of the lid 4 are preferablyconnected to each other via a shoulder 68. Said shoulder 68 forms a stopfor the upper edge of the inner wall 3 of the sample container 57 duringthe insertion of the lid 4 into the sample container 57, so that the lid4 and therefore also the inlet valve 12 always assume precisely the sameposition in their closed state. It is highly advantageous for theautomated or robotized supply of liquids 8 to the inner chamber 2 of thesample container 57 that the lid 4 of the sample container 57 andtherefore also the valve body 61 are always located precisely at thesame location. A microplate tray 58 for accommodating such samplecontains 57 (see FIG. 11) was already explained above and substantiallyfacilitates the precise alignment and secure holding of the samplecontainers 57. The valve space 62 is clearly shown, which encloses thevalve body 61 at least partly in the region of throat 21.

FIG. 14D shows the closed sample container 57 with the valve body 61 inthe open position 17. The valve body 61 assumes this open position 17after a movement in the direction of the first axis 6 because it wasmoved downwardly against the resistance of the elastic spring elements30. This movement ensures that the sealing surface 63 on the convexexterior side 64 of the blocking element 14 is moved to such an extentaway from the sealing element 16 configured as an annular continuoussealing lip 16′ that the inlet opening 5 is released at least partly forallowing the flow of the liquid 18. In this third embodiment of thesample container 57 in accordance with the invention or in this fifthembodiment of the inlet valve 12 in accordance with the invention, thevalve body 61 comprises a side wall 28 integrally attached to thepressing part 20, which side wall comprises a shoulder 29 on its upperend. Said shoulder 29 defines a maximum open position 17 of the inletvalve 12 and a maximum deformation of the spring mechanism 13 or thespring elements 30 during the downward pressing of the pressing part 20with a tool 19 or with a laboratory pipette 19′.

List of reference numerals  1 Chamber system  2 Inner chamber  3 Innerwall  4 Closure element, lid  5 Inlet opening  6 First axis  7 Outerchamber  8 Outer wall  9 Pipetting opening 10 Second axis 11 Transferdevice 12 Inlet valve 13 Spring mechanism 14 Blocking element 15 Closedposition 16 Sealing element  16′ Sealing lip  16″ Annular web 17 Openposition 18 Liquid 19 Tool  19′ Laboratory pipette, pipette tip,dispenser tip 20 Pressing part 21 Throat 22 Liquid passage 23 Openpassage region 24 Stop surfaces 25 Deformable tab 26 Collar 27 Upperopening of 26 28 Side wall of 20 29 Shoulder of 28 30 Spring element 31Transition 32 Base insert 33 Insert wall of 32 34 Base 35 Bottom edge of32 36 Bottom edge 8 37 Base area of 1 38 Lowermost point of 34 39Ejection element 40 Spring rings 41 Integral valve element 42 Snap-incam 43 Outer thread of 4 44 Stop ring of 4 45 Inner thread of 3 46Shoulder of 3 47 Opening of 46 48 Insert 49 Outer part 50 Base part 51Identification element 52 Base element 53 Base opening 54 Retainingelement 55 Pierceable base region 56 Piercing tip 57 Sample container 58Microplate tray 59 Seats 60 Guide rib 61 Valve body 62 Valve space 63Sealing surface 64 Convex exterior side of 14 65 Concave inner side of14 66 Annular insertion wall 67 Nose 68 Shoulder of 66 69 Piston-shapedreinforced part 70 Reinforcing rib

1. An inlet valve (12) for charging an inner chamber (2) of a chambersystem (1) or sample container (57) with a liquid (18) or for insertionof a sample into an inner chamber (2) of a chamber system (1) or samplecontainer (57), wherein the inlet valve (12) is configured for supplyingthe liquid (18) or sample by means of a tool (19,19′) and comprises afirst axis (6), and wherein the inlet valve (12) comprises an inletopening (5) and is configured to be automatically reclosing such inletopening (5), characterized in that the inlet valve (12) comprises: (a) avalve body (61) which is arrangeable in the inlet opening (5) and ismovable in the direction of the first axis (6) between a closed position(15) and an open position (17), comprising: a blocking element (14)which comprises a sealing surface (63); a pressing part (20) which issubjectable to action by a tool (19,19′), and which comprises a liquidpassage (22) in the region of the first axis (6); at least one openpassage region (23), which is configured on the one hand to open intothe liquid passage (22) of the pressing part (20) and is arranged on theother hand to open into a valve space (62); (b) a valve space (62) atleast partly enclosing the valve body (61); (c) a spring mechanism(13;30;40) which is arranged on the one hand to act on the pressing part(20) or the blocking element (14) and on the other hand to act on a wall(3) of the chamber system (1) or a closure element (4) of the samplecontainer (57), and (d) a sealing element (16) which is connected to aninner wall (3) of the chamber system (1) or a closure element (4) of thesample container (57); wherein the spring mechanism (13;30;40) isconfigured in such a way that it presses the sealing surface (63) of theblocking element (14) in the closed position (15) of the valve body (61)against the sealing element (16), and wherein the valve body (61) of theinlet valve (12) is configured in such a way that it can be brought tothe open position (17) by pressing the pressing part (20) against theresistance of the spring mechanism (13;30;40).
 2. An inlet valve (12)according to claim 1, characterized in that the valve body (61) isproduced in one piece or at least configured as one piece, wherein theblocking element (14) and the pressing part (20) of the valve body (61)are configured to be penetrated by the first axis (6).
 3. An inlet valve(12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the liquid passage (22)is arranged concentrically in relation to the first axis (6).
 4. Aninlet valve (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the valvebody (61) is configured in a rotationally symmetrical way and comprisesa circular sealing surface (63).
 5. An inlet valve (12) according toclaim 4, characterized in that the sealing surface (63) is arranged onan exterior side (64) of the blocking element (14) of the valve body(61) and forms an annular sealing connection with the sealing element(16) in the closed position (15) of the inlet valve (12).
 6. An inletvalve (12) according to claim 1, characterized in that the sealingelement (16) is configured as a continuous annular sealing lip (16′) oras a continuous annular web (16″) and releases the inlet opening (5),the cross-section of which is smaller than the geometrically similarcross-section of the blocking element (14).
 7. An inlet valve (12)according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one openpassage region (23) is configured to originate at a substantially rightangle from the first axis (6).
 8. An inlet valve (12) according to claim1, characterized in that the closure element (4) is configured as aclosable or reversibly closable lid or as a closure element of a chambersystem (1) or a sample container (57), and comprises the pressing part(20) and the blocking element (14).
 9. An inlet valve (12) according toclaim 8, characterized in that the closure element (4) which isconfigured as a closable lid snaps into the inlet opening (5) of asealing lip (16′) during the closing insertion into the chamber system(1) or into the sample container (57).
 10. An inlet valve (12) accordingto claim 8, characterized in that the closure element (4), which isconfigured as a closable lid, is connected by means of an elasticallydeformable tab (25) to a collar (26) of the chamber system (1) or thesample container (57).
 11. An inlet valve (12) according to claim 8,characterized in that the closure element (4), which is configured as areversibly closable lid, further comprises the spring mechanism (13) andis configured so that it can be inserted for closure into the chambersystem (1) or into the sample container (57) by being screwed in.
 12. Aninlet valve (12) according to claim 11, characterized in that thepressing part (20) further comprises the spring mechanism (13).
 13. Aninlet valve (12) according to claim 8, characterized in that the closureelement (4), which is configured as a reversibly closable lid, comprisesa collar (26) which is connected by means of an elastically deformabletab (25) to the chamber system (1) or the sample container (57).
 14. Aninlet valve (12) according to claim 13, characterized in that the valvebody (61) comprising the blocking element (14) and the pressing part(20) is connected to the collar (26) of the closure element (4) by meansof an elastically deformable tab (25).
 15. An inlet valve (12) accordingto claim 14, characterized in that the pressing part (20) comprises stopsurfaces (24) which are configured so that they can be pressurized bythe spring mechanism (13;30;40).
 16. An inlet valve (12) according toclaim 15, characterized in that the spring mechanism (13) is configuredas a plurality of upright spring elements (30) or a plurality of springrings (40).
 17. A chamber system (1) for the treatment of samples,comprising: (a) an inner chamber (2) which is enclosed at least partlyby an inner wall (3) and can be sealed by a closure element (4); (b) aclosure element (4) which comprises an inlet opening (5) leading to theinner chamber (2), wherein said inlet opening (5) defines a first axis(6) which penetrates the inlet opening (5); (c) an outer chamber (7)which encloses the inner chamber (2) at least partly, which outerchamber is enclosed at least partly by an outer wall (8), wherein theouter wall (8) comprises an opening (9) leading to the outer chamber(7), which opening (9) defines a second axis (10), and (d) a transferdevice (11) which is configured for fluidically connecting the innerchamber (2) to the outer chamber (7); characterized in that the chambersystem (1) comprises an inlet valve (12) according to claim 1 whichcomprises the inlet opening (5).
 18. A sample container (57) for storingor treating samples, comprising: (a) an inner chamber (2) which isenclosed at least partly by an inner wall (3) and is sealable by aclosure element (4); (b) a closure element (4) which comprises an inletopening (5) leading to the inner chamber (2), wherein said inlet opening(5) defines a first axis (6) which penetrates the inlet opening (5);characterized in that the sample container (57) comprises an inlet valve(12) according to claim 1 which comprises the inlet opening (5).
 19. Amicroplate tray (58) for accommodating chamber systems (1) according toclaim 17, characterized in that the microplate tray (58) comprises seats(59), which are adjusted with respect to their size to the dimensions ofthe outer walls (8) of the chamber systems (1) in such a way that thechamber systems (1) can be inserted in an interlocking and tightlyfitting fashion into said seats (59).
 20. A microplate tray (58) foraccommodating sample containers (57) according to claim 18,characterized in that the microplate tray (58) comprises seats (59),which are adjusted with respect to their size to the dimensions of theinner walls (3) of the sample containers (57) in such a way that thesample containers (57) can be inserted in an interlocking and tightlyfitting fashion into said seats (59).
 21. The use of a chamber system(1) according to claim 17 for the treatment of samples, wherein thetreatment is chosen from the group comprising chemical reactions,synthesis, incubation, lysis, extraction, solid-liquid extraction,polymerase chain reaction (PCR), storage and transport.
 22. The use of asample container (57) according to claim 18 for the treatment ofsamples, wherein the treatment is chosen from the group comprisingchemical reactions, synthesis, incubation, lysis, extraction,solid-liquid extraction, polymerase chain reaction (PCR), storage andtransport.